The Bearcats concluded the regular season with losses on both the men's and women's side at Kentucky. Only once this season have the Bearcats swam against other American foes, January 11 at Louisville. On that day, the Bearcat women fell to the Cardinals, but defeated Houston, while the men fell to Louisville.

On the women's side, freshman Jackie Keire enters with the conference's top time in the 100 free (48.52), 200 free (1:45.38) and 500 free (4:41.33). She is a four-time American Female Swimmer of the Week and has met the NCAA B-Qualifying standard in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyles. Two other UC swimmers that have met B-standards this season: Helena Pikhartova (100 breast, 200 breast), Jessica Piper (200 back) and Weronika Wasiakowska (100 free).

For the men's team, senior Joe Scherpenberg owns multiple top times for the team. He has been the quickest Bearcat in the 50, 100, 200 and 500 freestyles, as well as the 100 backstroke. Joe Bott enters as the only men's swimmer with a top-five time in the conference. His quickest mile of 15:49.35 ranks fourth in the league entering the meet.

Last season's BIG EAST Championships saw the men place fifth, while the women finished sixth. A Cincinnati swimmer last won an individual conference title in 2012, when Liz Hansson won her second consecutive 50 freestyle title. Bearcats swimmers won 12 individual championships as members of the BIG EAST Conference.